有子 ① 曰:“其为人也孝弟 ② ,而好犯上者,鲜 ③ 矣;不好犯上,而好作乱者,未之有也。君子务本,本立而道生。孝弟也者,其为仁之本与 ④ !”
——《论语·学而》
【注释】
1 有子:孔子学生,姓有,名若。
2 弟(tì):同“悌”,敬爱兄长。
3 鲜(xiǎn):少。
4 与:语气助词,同“欤”。
【参考译文】
有子说:“为人能孝顺父母、敬爱兄长,但却喜欢触犯上级,这种人是很少有的。不喜欢触犯上级,但却喜欢造反作乱,这种人从来没有过。君子应该致力于根本的事物,根本建立了,道就会产生。孝顺父母和敬爱兄长,这二者大概就是仁的根本吧!”
Youzi said: “A man who respects his parents and his elders would hardly be inclined to defy his superiors. A man who is not inclined to defy his superiors will never start a rebellion. A noble person devotes his efforts to the root. Once the root is established, the Way will grow therefrom. To respect parents and elders is the root of humanity.”